A team of international researchers led by quantum information scientist Stefano Pirandola from the University of York in the U.K. has developed new prototype quantum radar with the ability to detect hidden objects invisible to today's conventional radar systems.

Today's radar systems don't have the ability to detect objects of low reflectivity due to the objects' immersion in areas with high background noise.

Like Us on Facebook

Reports say this new quantum radar developed by international researchers is capable of spotting hidden objects of low reflectivity such as cancer cells or even stealth aircraft.

According to the research, the prototype uses quantum correlation between microwave and optical beams to do its work.

It has great potential in different applications such as biomedicine and non-invasive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scans because of its operating at much lower energies.

"Such a non-invasive property is particularly important for short-range biomedical applications." said Pirandola.

"In the long-term, the scheme could be operated at short distances to detect the presence of defects in biological samples or human tissues in a completely non-invasive fashion, thanks to the use of a low number of quantum-correlated photons." Pirandola added.

"Our method could be used to develop non-invasive NMR spectroscopy of fragile proteins and nucleic acids. In medicine, these techniques could potentially be applied to magnetic resonance imaging, with the aim of reducing the radiation dose absorbed by patients."

TagsQuantum Radar, University of York, U.K., Radar, NMR, Biomedicine